Last week's ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Friday's games:
1. ST. LOUIS: The Cardinals didn't make any huge deadline deals. The Astros must have changed their passwords. (1)
2. KANSAS CITY: Raise your hand if you had Kendrys Morales...

The Houston Astros are loading up for a pennant race. Ditto for the Toronto Blue Jays. Quit rubbing your eyes. That's not a misprint. If it seems like baseball has been turned upside down — with long-time doormats now on top and former powers such as...

The Mets finally landed the bat they were looking for in Yoenis Cespedes just ahead of Friday's trade deadline, and Cole Hamels confirmed he blocked a trade to Houston before Philadelphia dealt its ace to Texas. Sixteen trades were made Friday ahead of...

With Cole Hamels, the Texas Rangers have gotten another ace in hopes of getting back to the playoffs — in 2015 and beyond. Texas obtained the Phillies left-hander in an eight-player deal completed before Friday's non-waiver trade deadline after being...

With mere hours until the trade deadline, the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays have sent a clear message that they're going for it — making big moves to try and propel their teams into the playoffs for the first time in a long time. The Astros haven't...

The Astros have added another bat to their lineup as they make a push for the postseason, acquiring two-time All-Star outfielder Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers. Houston also received right-hander Mike Fiers in the deal and sent four prospects...

That torrid stretch in which the Angels won 17 of 20 games from June 27 to July 22 seemed a distant memory Thursday night as Jason Castro's walk-off three-run home run sailed into the right-center field seats in Minute Maid Park.
Castro's shot off...

After years of trade speculation, Cole Hamels' time in Philadelphia is ending. Two people familiar with the deal say the Phillies have agreed to trade the ace left-hander to the Texas Rangers for a package of prospects. Both people spoke to The Associated...

A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today: ___ TRADE BAIT David Price and Jeff Samardzija, two of the top pitchers potentially available before Friday's trade deadline, could be making their final starts with their current teams. Price...

The Los Angeles Angels acquired veteran outfielder Shane Victorino and more than $3.8 million from the Boston Red Sox on Monday for infielder Josh Rutledge. The 34-year-old Victorino is a two-time World Series champion, a two-time All-Star and a four-time...

In their second trade in four days, the Mets acquired closer Tyler Clippard from Oakland on Monday for minor league pitcher Casey Meisner in a swap of right-handers that increases New York's payroll by a little more than $2 million.
The 30-year-old...

The Houston Astros were a bit of a novelty in the first four weeks of the season, when they won 18 of 25 games to open a seven-game lead over the Angels.
Sure, they were improved over 2014, when they had a record of 70-92, and clearly they were not the...

TORONTO Throughout the months of speculation regarding where Cole Hamels will pitch the final three-plus guaranteed years of his contract, the Los Angeles Dodgers have often been mentioned as an apt trading partner for the Phillies. That remains the...

That collective sigh you heard coming from the north? That's the residents of Greater Boston after the city ended its bid to host the 2024 Olympics. The plan always seemed absurd on many levels, and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh finally pulled the plug when he...

ANAHEIM, Calif. Mike Trout, rubber wrist and all, kept the Texas Rangers from the weekend sweep of the Los Angeles Angels that they coveted and needed. The Rangers cut a game from their deficit in the American League West by winning the first two...

Josh Hamilton stepped to the plate with a rueful smirk while boos cascaded down from the Angel Stadium stands. The slugger looked at Angels catcher Chris Iannetta and grinned. "It's just like (when) I was playing here," Hamilton said. "They...